To the Editor:

Some great news to kick off 2014: It is with a real sense of accomplishment that Best Friends Thrift Shop wishes to announce operations at the store are in transition and will soon be under the direct control of the Potsdam Humane Society.

Thanks to our generous donors and shoppers, we have managed to provide the Potsdam Humane Society with close to $20,000 since opening in late 2010. Through our innovative management model, this was done without financial risk to the shelter. Not a single dollar was ever diverted from shelter operations for this project.

While our contract extends through 2020, we have been working with PHS to directly assume gift shop operations in early 2014. As the shelter is a not-for-profit, this move allows them to save considerably on payroll and contractual expenses -- helping Cathy and I achieve our primary goal, more money for the daily care of area homeless pets.

The coming months will present many challenges as we transition operations to shelter control. With careful planning, the changes will be seamless and transparent to all of our wonderful supporters.

Cathy and I want to thank all of you for the generosity, dedication and enthusiasm you have lavished on this project over the years. It is our hope that these changes will only serve to strengthened Best Friends and increase its effectiveness in the name of area homeless pets.

Cathy and Tim Connolly

Potsdam